Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

The muskrat is a common resident of wetlands, rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. This rodent likes to feed on cattails, a plants that are abundant in marshes. Muskrats use cattails to build their lodges. A muskrat lodge looks like a small beaver dam. Canada geese sometimes build their nests on top of muskrat lodges because this height provides the geese with a lookout for predators.